ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE OF <i>ACINETOBACTER BAUMANNII</i> AT CAN THO GENERAL HOSPITAL IN 2019–2023

This study examines antibiotic resistance patterns in Acinetobacter baumannii isolates from Can Tho General Hospital, Vietnam, between 2019 and 2023, focusing on multidrug-resistant (MDR), extensively drug-resistant (XDR), and pandrug-resistant (PDR) strains. The goal is to assess the prevalence of resistance and its clinical implications. Respiratory specimens from various departments, including the intensive care unit (ICU), were analyzed. Bacterial identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing were conducted using standard microbiological techniques and the Vitek-2 Compact system. Resistance patterns were categorized as MDR, XDR, and PDR, and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production was evaluated. MDR, XDR, and PDR were prevalent in 11.0%, 73.2%, and 15.7% of A. baumannii isolates. Resistance rates fluctuated over the five-year period, with a significant rise in PDR in 2021. ESBL production was strongly associated with increased resistance to key antibiotics, including vancomycin, clindamycin, erythromycin, and gentamicin. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.001) were observed between the ESBL-producing and non-ESBL-producing strains, particularly for ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and gentamicin. The study underscores the increasing threat posed by MDR, XDR, and PDR A. baumannii strains, particularly those producing ESBL, which exhibit higher resistance to crucial antibiotics. These findings highlight the urgent need for continuous surveillance, antibiotic stewardship, and targeted interventions, especially in ICUs, to prevent the further spread of resistant strains and improve patient outcomes.